I Fell in Love with an Alien Robot?

Ever Closer

I grab my keys off my shelf and hop out of my chair. This will do me good. I will be fine. I grab a jacket in case I stay out later than intended. I doubt I would, but just in case, it will be nice to have. As I put my shoes on, I debated taking my secret exit. No, I can't do that. I just assured Optimus that there's nothing he could do to make our relationship awkward. If I leave out that way, it will look like I didn't mean any of that!

But if I go out normally... No! If they ask, just say you're getting food. It's literally not that serious. Just be cool. I start walking in the direction of the main hanger. My heart started racing like an F1 car around a racetrack. Part of me hoped that no one was there, and I could just leave without any interruption. I know the universe doesn't like me all that much but hopefully this time?

Due to some manner of luck, there were no interruptions, and I was able to get to my car. It was almost suspicious. I would have expected someone to be there. I slowly creep out onto the street. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It's just a quick little drive. I'll be back soon enough. There's no reason to feel so anxious. I'm good. This is fine. About a third of the drive in, I noticed a pair of headlights in my mirrors. I paid little attention to them because like why would I? There are only so many roads so like why would I need to be suspicious? But what got me suspicious was that it followed me... Road for road. That made me suspicious. I didn't want to pull over, but something told me I should. As I pulled over, so did the vehicle behind me. Please don't murder me. 

When the lights behind me turned off, I could make out the shape of it better. Optimus?! So, someone did see me leave? Oh, gosh, I hope he doesn't think I left because of him. I quickly shut off my car and hop out. 

"Optimus, please don't take this the wrong way. I-" I got interrupted by him suddenly transforming and crouching down to get as close to me as he could. A hush fell between us as we stared at each other. I wasn't sure if I should continue. 

"Optimus... I know what this looks like, but I swear it's not because of you! I-I wanted to clear my head. I've had a lot on my mind lately a-and I figured a quick evening drive would calm me down. This has nothing to do with-" 

"It's okay, Y/N. Me following you has nothing to do with our previous conversations. I wanted to speak with you, but you left."

"O-Oh? Well, m-my bad. I didn't mean to... Well, I did mean to leave, but if I had known-" 

"It's alright. There was no way for you to have known." A moment of silence filled the space between us before he spoke again. 

"Y/N... That night when I walked by your quarters... I heard you say my name in a way that I have never heard before. I felt something change in my spark... A change I cannot quite describe. But I know it has something to do with you." Oh... Oh? Oh?!

"You... I... Oh? " Scrap, how do I respond???

"What were you dreaming about, Y/N? That prompted you to speak that way?" Oh, goodness. I hoped you wouldn't ask that. But maybe it's okay to admit this? Maybe it won't be super terrible? No, this doesn't make sense. I mean, he's technically a robot. Not to mention he's practically the height of a two-story building. Who's even benefiting from that kind of relationship? Cuz it certainly ain't me! Neither of us is benefiting from that kind of relationship even if there is potential. I can't let my hopes and fantasies cloud my judgement. Even if this sounds like something I want, I have to keep in mind what makes sense. 

"Umm, well... I was dreaming about... Well, you, of course. But, uh, I can't exactly remember much else. I mean, I remember bits and pieces, but nothing that makes sense." Okay, it's not like I was lying, okay? It gets harder to remember dreams as time passes. 

"What can you remember?" Oh, goodness. I hoped you would avoid asking that question. Unfortunately, for me, there is something I remember. But I don't necessarily like what I remember. 

"Umm, well, I..." 

"I-If it is too uncomfortable, please do not feel like you need to answer." No, I can't feel uncomfortable right now! I can do this!

"Optimus! Optimus, do you copy?!" Ratchet's frantic, concerned tone rung out into the air. Optimus looked at me as if to ask permission to answer. I frantically shoved my hands back and forth to signal him to answer the damn medic. 

"Yes, Ratchet, I copy. What appears to be the issue?" 

"You have Decepticons homed in on your location as we speak! Either prepare to fight or prepare to run!" Optimus shot me a look and I nodded as I rushed back into my car. I got that thing started and hit the gas as fast to get out of there as fast as I could. Hopefully, the Decepticons didn't register me or my car as a threat or target. I drive off the road and find somewhere to hide while still at a reasonable distance to keep an eye on Optimus. You know, just in case I need to call for backup. I turn my car off, slow my breathing ever so slightly, and listen. I wonder if Ratchet knows I'm out here with him or that he followed me. I wouldn't put it past him if he knew. And I wouldn't put it past Optimus to tell him either. I fear that subtlety is not a strength those two possess. 

I realize I'm zoning out when the sound of an explosion breaks my thought. My eyes dart to my windshield to scan for any commotion. What?... Did I miss something? 

"Optimus?" I know he wouldn't be able to hear me, but it was almost instinct. Why couldn't I see anything? It wasn't that dark yet... I got worried. Against my better judgement, I got out of the car to investigate. I might've just endangered myself, but at this point I'm more worried about the fact that some odd number of giant robots just disappeared. I slowly crept out of my hiding place and started walking around. 

Suddenly, I got abruptly picked up off the ground. Scrap! You are so not Optimus!  The 'con just looks at me for a few moments, like it was trying to decide if it wanted to kill me or take me hostage. I debated grabbing my phone from my back pocket. Was there a way to make it seem like I wasn't going to call for backup? Oh, come on, Optimus! Please don't be super occupied right now! It didn't take that long before it was obvious that the 'con wanted to kill me. Any debating thoughts that were left in my brain were quickly shoved out. I whipped out my phone and press that oh-so-lovely button. The 'con barely registered the presence of my phone as he began scanning the surrounding area. 

An explosion goes off near us, knocking me out of the 'con's hands and on the ground. I had trouble processing what happened shortly after. My vision started to blur. I took a deep breath before everything around me faded to black.